Hellertown Marks Its 113th Birthday

March 31, 1985|Sunday Call-Chronicle

Hellertown's first borough manager, now city manager of Williamsburg, Va., joined members of the Hellertown Historical Society last night to celebrate the 113th anniversary of the incorporation of the borough.

Frank Force, who was sworn in as Hellertown's first borough manager on Sept. 16, 1959, was speaker at the society's annual birthday dinner in the Hellertown American Legion Post 397. He talked about his three years of service with the borough and reminisced about the councilmen with whom he worked.

Force also brought along a film about Colonial Williamsburg famous for its craftsmen and historical attractions.

Force said his most difficult job occurred when President Reagan held an international economic summit at Williamsburg.

In October, 1962 Force resigned from the Hellertown position to become city manager of Radford, Va. He was named city manager of Williamsburg in 1967.

A graduate of Ohio State University and a licensed engineer and surveyor, Force was editor of the "Street and Highway Manual and Catalogue File," a national engineering publication, before joining the borough staff.

The anniversary celebration featured a cocktail hour and family style ham and turkey dinner. Bud Prosser, former president of the historical society, was toastmaster.

Figures from Hellertown's past and present were portrayed in an original skit entitled, "Hellertown through the Centuries," written and directed by Mrs. David Keiper with Mrs. Gwen Singer assisting.